The history of the great
Benin Empire as a nation is the record of a state that was established 2300yrs
before any contact was made with European inferior nation. The great Benin Empire
made remarkable achievements in those pre-European years, in art, science, administration,
technology, political organization, architectures, astronomy, town-planning e.t.c.

When the great Benin empire reached the zeniths
of its power, it extended its boundaries and exercised power over all the west
African lands bordering the entire stretch of the bight of Benin, from the mouth
of the river Volta in the west and eastward to the present day Congo and to
the delta of river Niger in the east e.g. Ghana, Republic of Benin, both across
the borders of modern Nigeria. Onitsha on the Niger and many other cities such
as Asaba, Agbor, Isele-Uku, Warri, Idah e.t.c. Many of these states and other
cities owe their corporate existence to the ancient Benin Empire. The influence
of the great Benin Empire was said to have even extended to the present day
Sierra Leone in the west.

The legendary fame of the Great Benin empire was
such that the name Benin had many meanings, e.g. there was Benin-city and Benin
empire, Benin river close to the new Benin (Warri) and there is the bight of
Benin and the Benin district comprising of Sapele and Warri. Beyond the Gulf
of Benin, the great Benin Empire's legendary fame was indeed wide spread. Several
European states heard about the empires might and civilized attitudes, many
sought for it.

That a vast stretch of the West African coastline
bears the name " BIGHT OF BENIN" is no accident of history. Even until these
day, it quite evident and amazing how the cultural influence of the ancient
Benin empire remains strong till today. An independent republic of former Dahomey
in 1975 decided to change its name to the republic of Benin as a way of reconnecting
its roots to Africa's once glorious kingdom. The republic of Togo on the other
hand named some of her prestigious institutions after the great Benin empire
e.g. Universite du Benin, Togo hotel du Benin e.t.c. President Gnassingbe Eyadema
during his 1974 visit to Benin City openly stated that the Togolese people
originated from the ancient Benin Empire. His open declaration
was cardinal in the sense that it ended the historical dilemma that
clouded the ancient Benin and present
day Benin speakingYoruba influence on many West African

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nations. Today, the
people of Onitsha across the Niger, the Isekiris, Urobos, Isian and Ijaws just
to mention but a few all proudly trace their venerated royal lineages to the
ancient Benin empire.

Lourenco Pinto, who captained a Portuguese ship
that brought the so-called missionaries to Warri the ancient port of Benin in
1619, sent the below deposition to the Sacra Congregazione the instance of father
Montelcone. " All the city of this African Empire are organized, large and harmonious.
The streets run straight and as far as the eyes can see. The houses are large;
especially those of the king, which is richly decorated and has, fine columns.
The city is wealthy and industrious."

Before that period, the great Benin Empire had
built a unique defensive wall around its principal cities. The magnitude and
complexity of this great wall has qualified it to be entered in the Guinness
Book of Records as the greatest earth moving work ever constructed by man. With
an estimated total length in excess of 20.000km, the great Benin wall is the
longest running military defensive network ever built by man.

Isn't it ironic that the people that once made
up this ancient prestigious kingdom are now grouped along minority lines in
the modern day Nigeria. No thanks to the British dubious invasion and subsequent
amalgamation of over 200 ethnic nationalities that now make up one Nigeria.

Isn' t it sad that the name of this over 3000yrs
old empire does not even appear on Nigeria map these days, instead towns like
Ogbomosho and Lagos originally named Eko which was founded by Benin military
leaders now represent the glory of Nigeria's ancient cities.

Nigeria: Traffic

The marginalization and the dubious miss-interpretation
of the great Benin Empire's history have to end. It is time for African scholars
and historians to engage in the challenging and vital task of re-constructing
Africa's unifying history. During this process, every element of all ancient
African empires should be given due respect and honor, without exhibiting the
contemporary tribalist and colonial mentality/education that is tearing African
apart.

Fellow Africans, let us not forget that Africa
is the past, the present and certainly the future.

Ise-lo gbe! happy Kwanza!

By: Nosakhare & AGHAZE Both are African historians/scholars
at the University of Benin .